Thomas also made clear that he still has love for the city of Boston, and that his relationship with the city would be positive, save for one person – Celtics president Danny Ainge.

“I might not ever talk to Danny again. That might not happen. I’ll talk to everybody else. But what he did, knowing everything I went through, you don’t do that, bro. That’s not right. I’m not saying eff you. But every team in this situation comes out a year or two later and says, ‘We made a mistake.’ That’s what they’ll say, too.”

It felt like Thomas had developed something special with the city of Boston and with the Celtics fans, and to see him let go so unceremoniously in order to acquire Irving was a surprise to many, Thomas included.

The 2017-18 NBA season tips off on October 17 when the Boston Celtics visit Isaiah Thomas and the Cavaliers in Cleveland. While Thomas will be out of the game with an injury, there’s no doubt that these moods, and the trade itself, will linger over the game.